At the time of the Neronian persecution, St. Peter was fleeing Rome along the Appian Way. Our Lord appeared to him and St. Peter asked Jesus, "Domine, quo vadis?" - Lord, where are you going? - to which Jesus replied, "I am going to Rome to be crucified a second time." The Apostle recognized this gentle rebuke and went back into the City where he was imprisoned and martyred for the Faith.

Saturday, 12 January 2013

SIR – After centuries of persecution, Catholics have, in recent times, been able to be members of the professions and participate fully in the life of this country.

Legislation for same-sex marriage, should it be enacted, will have many legal consequences, severely restricting the ability of Catholics to teach the truth about marriage in their schools, charitable institutions or places of worship.

It is meaningless to argue that Catholics and others may still teach their beliefs about marriage in schools and other arenas if they are also expected to uphold the opposite view at the same time.

The natural complementarity between a man and a woman leads to marriage, seen as a lifelong partnership. This loving union – because of their physical complementarity – is open to bringing forth and nurturing children.

This is what marriage is. That is why marriage is only possible between a man and a woman. Marriage, and the home, children and family life it generates, is the foundation and basic building block of our society.

We urge Members of Parliament not to be afraid to reject this legislation now that its consequences are more clear.

Good for our priests and bishops - hopefully this will grab somebody's attention in that den of nihilism which is Downing Street!I, along with many other deacons fully support you in this. The only niggle is that there would have been many more signatures if you had invited the deacons of the Church of God to sign this too!Meanwhile, back at the coal face, all local readers in the Surrey area are reminded/invited to a Coalition for Marriage Meeting in Guildford, Surrey on Monday evening. The Meeting will take place from 8 pm to 9pm at the Mandolay Hotel, Guildford. Please do come along to find out how you can volunteer to help C4M in your local area. You will find out more about how you can help the Coalition for Marriage campaign in simple, practical ways.

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Panagia

The Council of Florence (A.D. 1438-1445) From Cantate Domino — Papal Bull of Pope Eugene IV

It (the sacrosanct Roman Church) firmly believes, professes, and proclaims that those not living within the Catholic Church, not only pagans, but also Jews and heretics and schismatics cannot become participants in eternal life, but will depart "into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels" [Matt. 25:41], unless before the end of life the same have been added to the flock; and that the unity of the ecclesiastical body is so strong that only to those remaining in it are the sacraments of the Church of benefit for salvation, and do fastings, almsgiving, and other functions of piety and exercises of Christian service produce eternal reward, and that no one, whatever almsgiving he has practiced, even if he has shed blood for the name of Christ, can be saved, unless he has remained in the bosom and unity of the Catholic Church.